In 2012, I supported the Occupy Nigeria movement and did join in the protest against the removal of subsidy. Prior to that protest, I had published a piece entitled 'The Removal of Fuel Subsidy: An Affront on the Nigerian People'. Looking back, and in line with recent happenings in the country, I don't regret my decision. Given another opportunity, I would do same.
My decision is hinged on obvious reasons. First, even though all factors point to that direction, Nigeria is not a police state where the president wakes up and makes a proclamation expecting the people to take and swallow it, even though it is bitter. You cannot remove fuel subsidy without putting in place mechanisms or shock absorbers to assist the people survive the harsh impact it would create.
Secondly, the failure of the deregulation of diesel underscores my point. The idea then was that government should stop subsidising the price of diesel in order to allow private individuals run the sector; through that, market forces will force the price down. Supporters of this often cite the GSM example. Sadly, several years after, the price of diesel is not just high, but outrageously high!

Thirdly, are we supposed to be importing refined oil? Why can't we get our refineries to work in order to meet our consumption demands? The daily consumption of petroleum is put at forty million litres. A large portion of that is to power generators. Fix our refineries, fix the problem of power and we wouldn't be importing refined fuel. Besides, why can't we give crude oil in exchange for refined fuel. The practice of selling crude oil for it to be refined, and still buying the refined oil is disheartening.

I understand and appreciate the fact that petroleum subsidy should not stay, but, we cannot continue like this. The suffering the people experienced these past weeks was unprecedented. People were forced to buy fuel at high prices (mostly at the price they ordinarily should buy, if subsidy is removed). But did we also notice the increase in transport fare and the price of foodstuffs? How much does the average worker take home at the end of the month? My argument is simple; remove fuel subsidy, but before you do that, put mitigating factors in places to help the citizens survive the hardships that may follow. Fix our refineries, fix the problem of power and get the thieves milking us dry. Removing fuel subsidy without doing any of these, is like asking the people to pay for the ineptitude and failure of government, both past and present!

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Hmmmmmmm

I just wonder why basic infrastructures is still our problems in this country. Lawd have mercy

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